Swollen face and rash all over

1 to 3 years

Created by Anurima
Updated on Jan 21, 2014

Dear Fellow parents,
My almost 2 year old woke up with a terrible rash and a swollen face yesterday. The rashes were mostly on his back and slightly itchy. By evening it spread to his tummy area and palms. This morning I saw the rashes spread to his legs and below his feet too. They are hot to touch. He has no fever and is eating, playing and sleeping well. My concern is his swollen face.
He has no food allergies and I cannot think of any other way he would have had those rashes.
Does anyone know what is causing this and what should I do? Should I observe him or take him to the doctor straight away?
Thank you!

Hey Shikha, he is kind of better now. The rashes are drying out and are a little itchy now. His face is somewhat better. But the greatest relief is that he is his usual mischievous self :) Thanks for checking

@Nirmala and Ruchi, no it wasnt an insect bite too. Even though I changed and dusted his sheets and mattress. We also could not find a bite mark. Did your daughter have rashes all over her body? My son has only on his legs today. The rashes from his tummy and back seem to have faded. The face is still a little puffed up though. Thanks to the both of you for the concern. I agree Ruchi, if I knew the cause, I would surely share it with the other fellow parents.

Dear Anandana, thank you for your suggestions and concern :) It is not mumps. The doctor took a look at his throat and ruled it out. Any other illness would have fever as a symptom but he has no fever and is his normal self otherwise, thankfully. He also did not eat anything new over the weekend, so the sudden allergy is a little surprise. The rashes are not contagious too, I asked the doctor. Yes, I am being cautious in keeping things separate for him and washing all his clothes after one wear etc. Thanks a ton for your concern once again Anandana.. and no I have not been offended or hurt at all. I am grateful for all the posts :)

Hi Anurima! Hope ur babu is better now. Levocetirizine liquid drops for infants is safe. the dosage shd not be more than 2. 5mg/day. but wud still request u to consult ur pediatrician. Wish him speedy recovery!

Hi Anurima.... it can be some insect bite also. I had a similar experience with my daughter last summer. We had opened the windows at night and she got bitten by some violent insect. In the morning she developed rashes which were very itchy. We took her to a skin specialist and it almost took a week for her to recover completely. It was a very horrendous time for me. Nevertheless please consultant a doc meanwhile try applying coriander juice just to ease the itchiness.

Anurima one more thing did you try any new shellfish with him for any reaction? I remember reading that you would try that way next time. Am just trying to help you find a reason for this. Regrets if i hurt you.

Also make sure your older one stays far and use different clothes and napkins for both. sleep in different rooms. He should not contract it. keep them both separate and you stay with your younger one most of the time so that their interaction is less.

Shikha, is cetrizine safe for children? Is there a separate one for children? I thought it was heat rash too, but my concern was with his swollen face. So we shall wait and watch for now. Thank you once again for all your support :)

Thank you for your comments Meenambigai and Shikha. @ Meenambigai, no he has not been sneezing. I did take him to the doctor in the evening. The doctor seemed a little unsure as to where the allergy could come from. In the absence of fever and lethargy, he did not prescribe any medication but advised to use a medicated soap for about 10 days and to call him if there is fever or the rash doesnt subside in another 3 days.

Hi Anurima, is he sneezing? U must take him to doctor, I believe. U can apply caladryl or lacto calamine and see if the rashes and itching subside. Also some homeopathic medicines are effective. But better consult doctor soon. Wish he gets well soon.